Undergarment



April 12,1927.

'R. L. STRONG UNDERGARMENT Ofiginai Filed May 28, 1924 Patented Apr. 12, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT LEE STRONG, OF LOUISVILLE, KElWllllGI UI. ASSIGNGB. TO MILDRED SPEED STRONG, OI LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

UNDEBGARMENT.

Application filed May 28, 1924, Serial No. 716,467. Renewed August 31, 1926.

This invention relates to garments and more particularly to the leg construction of undergarments.

An important object of the invention is to providean undergarment leg construction provided with means for affording proper support for the hosiery. I

A further object of the invention is to provide a garment construction used in connection with light summer underwear for preventing the leg portions from sliding upwardly when in use and becoming uncomfortable to wear.

A further objectof theinvention is to provide a protection for light colored outer garments against perspiration.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawings I have shown one embodiment of the invention. In this showing,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the garment in position on the wearer,

Figure 2 is a face view of the blank employed in forming the lower leg portion,

Figure 3 is a similar View showing the lower leg portion completed,

Figure t is a side view of the completed lower leg portion, and,

Figure 5 is a face view of the garter.

Referring to the drawings the numeral designates the leg portions of the usual summer underwear which is usually of knee length as shown at 11. The numeral 12 dies ignates an extension member formed as shown in Figure 2. The extension member may bevformed of any suitable fabric, preferably of the same fabric which forms the body portion of the garment or may be formed integral therewith. When the extension is formed as a separate piece it is preferably sewn to the lower edge of the leg portion at the front thereof as shown. in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2 the extension has its opposite edges curved inwardly as at 13 and a V-shaped out it is made at the center or front of the extension. The edges of the V-shaped out are secured together by sewing as at 15 to form a gusset for a purpose to be described. A plurality,

of eyes 16 are secured along the lower edge of the extenslon as shown in Figures 8 and 4.

- In Figure 5 I have shown a suitable garleg of the wearer.

porting members 20 are secured adjacent the ter member 17 which may be formed of either elastic or nonelastic fabric material. ()ne end of the garter element, which is formed in the shape of a straight band, may be provided with an eye 18 adapted to receive a hook 19 formed at the opposite end for securing the garter in position on the Suitablehosiery suplower edge of the'garment and are preferably so spaced, as to grip the upper edge of the hosiery at approximately diametrically opposite points. The garter member is pro vided with a plurality of hooks 21- corre sponding in number and arrangement to the eyes 16 of the extension 12.

In the wearing of the article it will be apparent that the gusset formed by the V- shaped cut 14: forms a slight bulge over the knee of the wearer as shown at 22 while the edges of the extension hang substantially straight as shown at 23. In practice I prefer that the garter band 17 rather loosely fit the leg of the wearer as no binding action of the hand against the leg is necessary to af ford support for the hosiery. The hooks 21 are inserted in the eyes 16 and the extension 12 forms the support for the garter member. When the knees are bent as when sitting down, the bulge formed at 22 provides suiii cient knee space to prevent the extension 12 from uncomfortably binding against the knee and to prevent the garter from being pulled upwardly. By providing the extension 12 only at the front of the leg it will be apparent that sufficient ventilation is afforded to prevent discomfort in wearing the article in warm weather.

IVhile the extensions properly support the hosiery of the wearer, it also will be obvious the leg portions of the garment will be prevented from sliding upwardly and binding about the legs, which causes great discomfort to the wearer during warm weather.

It will be apparent that the garter 1'? may be readily detached from the garment by releasing the books 21, so that the garment may be laundered independently of the garter.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the "same and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit oi the intention or the scope oi": the subjoined elaiins.

l -laviirr described my invention, 1 claim:

1. An, inule-rgarnient comprising leg portions, the backs of which terminate a substantial distance above the knees a trout extension carried by each leg portion and extending to a point a substantial distance below the knee, the opposite edges oi each extension being substantially straight throughout their length, said extensions be ing narrowest at their lower ends and being provided with intermediate bulged portions overlying and adapted to si'iugly lit the knees of the wearer when in a sitting position, a garter band secured to the lower end of each extension and loosely surround ing the leg and hosiery securing means carried by the lower edge of each extension adjacent opposite sides thereof.

An undergarment comprising leg portions the backs oi which terminate a sunstantial distance above the knees, a front extension carried by each leg portion and Lowe i114 extending to a point a substantial distance below the knee, the oppmsite edges of each extension being substantially straight throughout its length, said extensions being: narrowest at their lower end and being in'ovided with intermediate bulged portions overlying and adapted to snugly lit the knees of the wearer when in a sitting position, a straight garter band encircling each leg of the wearer adjaeez'it the lower edges of said extensions, a plurality of eoaeting :tening elements seeured to the adjacent edges oi said bands and extensions, the outer fastening elementsv (it each band and extension being; arranged adjacent the outer edges of the extensions, and a pair oi sub stantialiy diametrically opposite hosiery securing means carried by each extension, each of said securing in ane being arranged beneath and adjacent one of the outer fastening elements.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature.

ROBERT LEE STRONG. 

